NASA's project to transfer an asteroid to the moon's orbit: questions and answers

On Habré already published information about NASA plans for the next couple of decades . Among the most interesting points (although the whole plan itself is very interesting) is the flight to the asteroid, its interception and redirection to the orbit of the moon.

This is done to work out the technology of capturing an asteroid, and to study this object, and to train astronauts. Of course, the mission is very unusual and it raises a number of questions from both professionals, workers in the space industry, and the inhabitants. The other day a series of questions and answers about this mission was published on the web. Probably, this information will be very interesting for representatives of the Habrasoobschestva.
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How will the mission be carried out?

NASA experts have provided two options for the project. The first is the selection of a small asteroid (7-10 meters in diameter) located not far from the Earth, sending an automatic station to the asteroid to redirect the object to the lunar orbit. An alternative plan is to extract a boulder of the same size from a larger asteroid, with subsequent transportation of this part to the moon.

As soon as the asteroid enters the place of permanent "deployment", a team of two astronauts will go to the object for further study. The flight will be carried out on the Orion ship.

How to find a suitable asteroid?

NASA has now identified more than 11,000 asteroids as being close to Earth. Three potential objects for study have already been identified, and now scientists are closely watching these three candidates.



How much is it?

Initial estimates of the cost of the mission show figures of 1.25-2.6 billion dollars, and this is without taking into account the development of a new type of spacecraft and the Orion capsule.

NASA is now working with a reduced budget, and the mission of delivering an asteroid to the orbit of the moon is the best that could be undertaken with current tasks (traveling to Mars as the main goal) and budget.

What are the side goals of the project?

A detailed study of the asteroid suggests the possibility of obtaining information about the origin of this celestial body, as well as about the evolution of the solar system. In addition, it will be possible to work out the asteroid / asteroid redirection scheme that may threaten Earth.

Asteroids are also of interest as an object for obtaining resources, including rare earth metals, ordinary metals and ice, which can be converted into liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The latter elements can be used as fuel for rockets, which will lower the price of the project for sending a man to Mars.

Why the moon?

The authors of the project believe that the moon should be used as a launching pad for sending missions to various points of the solar system.

Also, the "return" to the moon opens up opportunities for the development of various technologies, and the extraction of useful minerals. Of course, such projects cannot be cheap, so various countries will have to join forces.

What is to be done soon?

Currently, scientists face a difficult task - out of the three asteroids that are potentially suitable for the project, choose the one, unique and unique one. In addition, in December this year in the United States will conduct a test launch of a heavy rocket with an Orion capsule.

Via floridatoday